Chronicles

Today: I had the first moment of jubilee "on the job" so to speak. JoVeta and I had a meeting with someone who has a grant to do research with a children's program. They are trying to get these great books about recognizing child illnesses (when to go to the doctor versus when it's ok to be at home etc) distributed. However, since it's research, it's complicated by pre and post surveys. Many of the parish nurses trying to get the books out are getting frustrated by a lack of partcipation and interest. As I was listening to their conversation, all of a sudden a thought came in unbidden. Then an order came. "Speak" So out tumbled my incomplete thought, "You know when we did surveys at my college, sometimes it helped if there was some kind of incentive" I can't even remember how the conversation went after that... but it seemed like ideas really started flowing. We talked about possible getting nursing student in the fall to help out. Now it's my job to write up a job description. Spanish speakers are preferred (also due to some of my comments).

What I've realized about changing the world is that if you have the right situation... it's really quite easy. All it takes is a fertile ground and a bunch of interested and committed people. Ha. That's the hard part... "the right situation" - fertile ground and interested/committed people. That's why I think it really depends on the Lord. I had no idea what I was going into this morning, but God did... and He was pretty excited about it. All of the rich college education you have had... all of the life experiences you've gained (painfully sometimes)... all of your gifts and dreams are valuable... and can be sowed into other's lives to really make a difference. Don't get discouraged, you never know what piece of you God wants to use to bring about shalom - wellness, wholeness, and flourishing.

Sunday: Church was fun. All the kids from camp yelled "KATIE!" and gave me hugs. I introduced myself to Alli's grandmother and she reached out and asked if she could touch my hair. She said "You are so pretty... I'm not quite blind... but..." and then touched both sides of my head. I had compliments from moms and little girls on my dress. (You know you have a good dress when BOTH the moms and the little girls like it) My mom says that I better learn that I'm beautiful. We had brunch at Granite City... it was amazing (I mean, who has ribs at brunch? JoVeta says that Tim and Sam love going to Granite City... because it has huge hamburgers. The brunch was all you could eat... and I was stuffed after one plate!) and expensive (I'm still not used to going out to eat!). I went for a run, but it just about killed me. I went a little too early when the sun was still out and the humidity was like 90%. EHHH

Saturday: I can't really remember what I did that day. However, I did something really cool that evening. I went and served at the Lord's Diner. The Lord's Diner is this amazing place that serves the homeless and lower income people food 365 days a year! It's paid for with donations and grants. They must serve 100-200 people every day. It's mad crazy. I served desserts. One man said that he'd take some jello, but my smile was better. After all the compliments I've had in my life... you would think that I would have great esteem... or a big head :) Hmmm (pats head) I think it's still the same size.

Friday: Oh my gosh... I completely forgot! I spent all of Thursday and Friday with the kids at VBS. That's right! There was so much I wanted to say... but I'm getting exhausted. Let's see. My shouldars still ache from doing "underdogs". I swear that kids' favorite phrase is "WATCH ME!" Sometimes I felt torn by five different little kids yelling "KATIE! Look at me!" I felt some progress at the two little boys I've fallen in love with. I seem to fall for the troubled ones. I told you about Brandon before. He's the little one that couldn't blow bubbles and was worried about the bugspray. He also draws pictures of people blowing up people in every means possible. Thursday he told me that my dive off the diving board was awesome. I said thanks off handedly right before he dove underwater. When he came up, I heard a faint "your welcome". I almost fell over in the water with surprise. It's not that he's rude... it was just icing on the cake for him. His brother Kollin is just a year or two older than him... and just as much a troublemaker. But the Friday, I thought my heart would break. Somehow the kids all know what "year" according to the Chinese calendar that they were born it. It was the funniest thing when they all erupted with "I'm a rat!" "I'm a dog" etc. Anyway, Kollin was like "my mom's a monkey" and Xoi was eating a banana. She decided to say... "You should give her this banana. She'll like it if she's a monkey" Of course she was joking, but it hit Kollin funny. I think maybe it's because of complicated family part of their life. At any rate, he had tears that rose and stood in his eyes. I valiantly tried to pretend I didn't see... and made Xoi apologize even though I knew she didn't "mean it". Boy did I just want to sweep him up and hold him tight.

I taught Xoi how to braid and how to play string games Jacob's ladder... cat's cradle... the works. In fact, I had five kids learning how by the end of bus ride. Kollin got as far as "cat's whiskers" and told me the next day that he still had the string. Xoi dragged me to meet her mother because she talks about me so much that her mom wanted to meet me. Phoenyx regularly throws his arms around me.

It's funny how the past haunts you. I called Phoenyx, Conner because he reminds me of a little red head that I used to swim with. I think that Patrick looks like a Brian because of my 5th grade love... and I'm pretty sure that Justin was supposed to be a Patrick. He's this slim middle schooler (one of the counselors) with long curly blond hair. He looks so much like someone out of a movie. I had it figured out at one point... but I've lost it. He also talks with a bit of a drawl that so reminds me of someone. I've got to figure this out. He's another one I've fallen in love with. (Yes Nick... you're right... you fall in love when you least expect it) but seeing that he's at least 7 years my junior :) Well let's just say I love them all - pretty equally. I'll put up pictures of camp if I get them.

Anyway, that should probably be all for now. I've done quite a bit once again. (Sorry Blake... I'm not doing to well on the chilling out) I knew that I would be happier doing something with a set schedule Thursday and Friday. Luckily, it was as much fun as it was work.